Fence construction



July 9, 1968 up FOU wows FENCE CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets$heet 1 Filed Jan.6, 1966 INVENTOR. LIP FOU WONG HIS ATTO NEYS y 9, 1968 up FOU WONG3,391,493

FENCE CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 6, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-5 L// M-INVENTOR.

LIP FOU WONG HIS AT NEYS July 9, 1968 LIP FOU WONG FENCE CONSTRUCTION 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 6, 1966 FIG-ll FIG-l3 FIG-l4 FIG-l6 INVENTOR.

' LIP FOU WONG BY A4,, 54,

HIS ATTOR EYS United States Patent "ice 3,391,493 FENCE CUNSTRUCTION LipFou Wong, Henrico County, Va., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company,Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 6, 1966, Ser. No.519,105 12 Claims. (Cl. 49--394) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Thisdisclosure relates to a fence construction such as a gate panel, forexample, comprised of a plurality of horizontally extending U-shapedrail means each provided with a pair of substantially parallel flangeswhich are arranged vertically and wherein one of the U-shaped rail meansdefines the top member of the gate panel. A plurality of hat-shaped railmeans are fastened transverse to and between the parallel flanges of theU-shaped rail means and extend beneath the top member to define suchgate panel having improved strength. This disclosure also relates toimproved latching means and hinge means for the gate panel.

This invention pertains to fence construction and more particularly tofence construction employing channelshaped rail means.

Many fence constructions such as gate panels in present use areexpensive to produce and have poor load-carrying capability. Inaddition, such gate panels which are not preassembled at the factorytend to sag after extended use. Furthermore, the construction of manypresent gate panels used in farm gates is a hazard to farm animalsresulting in injuries such as injured legs.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide a fenceconstruction such as gate means of simple and economical construction,while being readily assembled and disassembled at the using site, suchgate means providing maximum structural strength with minimum saggingtendency even after prolonged use.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a gate panel havingunique latching means enabling latching and unlatching from either sidethereof.

Another feature of this invention is to provide single piece hinge meansfor a gate panel or the like which is simple to construct and use, has agreater load-carrying capacity, and provides inherent sheltering meansfor the operating components.

Another feature of this invention is too provide a kit-type lightweightgate made basically from channellike rails of two configurations andcapable of withstanding large cantilever and torsional loads, as well asloads normal thereto without permanent deformation thereof.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a farm gate usingU-shaped rail means, sheet means, and hatshaped rail means to provide ahigh strength structure which affords maximum safety to farm animals.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a farm gate whichutilizes a plurality of box beams which are fixed in a vertical positionto cooperate with horizontally arranged U-shaped rail means to providerectangular structural perimeter means for such gate having greaterstrength.

One exemplary embodiment of this invention which incorporates one ormore of the above features is in the form of a high-strength gate panelwhich is comprised of a plurality of horizontally extending U-shapedrail means each provided with a pair of substantially parallel flangesarranged vertically and wherein one of the U- shaped rail means definesthe top rail of such gate panel. A plurality of hat-shaped rail meansare fastened between and transverse to the parallel flanges of the U-3,391,493 Patented July 9, 1968 shaped rail means and are fastened toand extend beneath the parallel flanges of the top rails to define agate panel having improved strength. This invention also providesimproved latching and hinge means for such gate panel.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a fenceconstruction having one or more of the novel features of this inventionas set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved inexpensivelightweight gate panel having maximum structural strength even afterextended use and having one or more novel features as set forth above orhereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description, which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a farm gate of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged upper corner fragment of the farm gate of FIGURE1, particularly illustrating hinge means therefor fastened to a verticalbox beam defining one edge of such gate, a top U-shaped member, and adiagonally arranged hat-shaped rail.

FIGURE 3 is a view on line 33 of FIGURE 2, showing the U-shaped top railmeans and a box beam cooperating therewith.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2, particularlyshowing the relative position and manner of fastening the hinge means,box beam, vertical hat-shaped rail means and diagonal hat-shaped railmeans within the parallel flanges of the top U-shaped rail means.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1 with partsbroken away, particularly showing the arrangement of the flangeprojecting normally from the transverse flange of each of the middle andbottom U-shaped rail means, and showing the manner of attachingcorrugated sheet means to such projecting flanges.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of FIGURE 1 with partsbroken away, particularly showing a vertical box beam carried from topto bottom of said gate panel within the parallel flanges of the U-shapedrail means.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view on the line 77 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view on the line 88 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 6 FIGURE 10 is asectional view on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view on the line 1111 of FIGURE 1, particularlyshowing the corrugated sheet means at the lower end portion of the gate.

FIGURE 12 is a view on the line 1212 of FIGURE 1 looking toward atelescoping latching pin provided in the latching means for such gate.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary side view of such latching means showing, indotted lines, the extended position of the latching pin.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary view of the terminal end section of the gateof FIGURE 1 showing another form of latching means including a T-shapedmember.

FIGURE 15 is a sectional view on the line 1515 of FIGURE 14,particularly showing the arrangement of the T-shaped member within thevertical box beam at the terminal end of the gate and showing suchmember extended into an associated receptacle in the ground to therebylatch the gate closed.

FIGURE 16 is a sectional view on the line 16-16 of FIGURE 14 showing theT-shaped member raised in the unlatched position and showing suchmember, in dotted lines, rotated to permit vertical movement of thehorizontal bar thereof in associated slots at opposite sides of the boxbeam.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustratedand described as being particularly adaptable to provide a fenceconstruction such as a gate panel for a farm gate or the like, it is tobe understood that the various features of this invention can beutilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide fenceconstructions and gate panels for other uses.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of this invention illustrated in thedrawings, an improved farm gate 25 is illustrated. Gate 25 is oflightweight construtcion, yet it provides high structural strength.Basically, such gate employs channel-shaped metal rails having twoconfigurations, one being of a generally U-shaped configuration and theother being of a generally hat-shaped configuration. The channel-shapedrails are assembled in a generally rectangular shape to outline a gatepanel and have panel means such as corrugated sheet means along thelower end portion thereof. With only two configurations of metal railsbeing used and because such configurations lend themselves toinexpensive construction, as by extrusion, an inexpensive gate isprovided. Furthermore, the use of panel means at the lower end portionof such gate adds to the structural strength and rigidity of the gatewhile providing protection against farm animals getting their feet andlegs injured in the lower end of such gate. The gate panel is providedwith improved unique hinge means having high strength as well asimproved latching means. The two basic configurations of channel-shapedmembers are arranged and fastened together in such a manner as toprovide individual beams as well as a structural assembly having maximumstrength and rigidity even after extended use of such gate. In addition,the construction of such gate enables it to be readily and easilyassembled and disassembled, thus permitting such gate to be transportedin kit form and assembled at the using site Without compromising itsstructural integrity.

The exemplary farm gate 25 of this invention illustrated in FIGURE 1comprises a plurality, shown as three in this example, of generallyU-shaped rail means or U- shaped rails 26, 27, 28, which are arrangedhorizontally in spaced apart parallel relation and a plurality ofgenerally hat-shaped rail means fastened transverse thereto to define afence construction or gate panel of generally rectangular outline. TheU-shaped rails 26-28 are arranged with their parallel flanges in avertical position and the hat-shaped rail means are arranged andfastened in position within such vertical flanges to provide a structureof maximum strength.

The transverse hat-shaped rail means or hat-shaped rails include threepairs arranged to define three box beams 31, 32, 33 extending the fullheight of gate 25. Box beams 31 and 33 are attached vertically atopposite ends and beam 32 is attached at the middle of gate 25. Each boxbeam 31-33 is formed by a pair of hat-shaped rails arranged and fastenedtogether with their concave sides facing each other and with the lateralflange portions thereof arranged against each other.

Gate 25 has certain ones of its transverse hat-shaped rails indicated bythe numerals 34, 35, 36, and 37 fastened vertically between U-shapedrails 26 and 27, and the remaining transverse members 40 and 41 fasteneddiagonally between such U-shaped rails. To provide additional structuralstrength to gate 25, a pair of spaced apart horizontally extendinghat-shaped rails 42 and 43 are provided. Each rail 42 and 43 is arrangedbetween U- shaped rails 26 and 27 with its concave side facing inwardlytoward the gate construction while being suitably fastened to box beams31, 32, and 33 and to the vertical and diagonal hat-shaped rails as willbe described subsequently.

The lower end portion of gate 25 has sheet means shown as a corrugatedlightweight metal sheet 44 attached thereto. Sheet 44 is preferably madeusing a lightweight high strength sheet which has corrosion resistancesuch as aluminum or of an alloy containing aluminum.

Gate 25 is provided with improved hinge means and latch means forswinging and latching such gate as desired. The hinge means shown is apair of single piece hinges, each designated by the numeral 45, fastenedto gate 25 at the top and bottom of one end thereof. Each hinge 45 issupported on an associated L-shaped hinge rod 46 and hinge rods 46 arefixed to a gate support 47 in spaced apart relation. Gate 25 issuspended in a cantilever manner from such hinge rods to provideswinging movements. Latch means 50 is provided at the swinging end ofgate 25 and such latch means has a telescoping pin 51 which telescopesoutwardly into a receptacle 52 in an associated member 53 to latch gate25 closed. Gate 25 is unlatched simply by moving pin 51 out ofreceptacle 52.

As shown particularly in FIGURES 2-4, the top U- shaped rail 26 isarranged horizontally, with its open concave end facing downwardly andwith its parallel sides arranged in a vertical position. The transversehat-shaped rails are arranged within the parallel flanges and extenddownwardly therefrom. This arrangement provides a smooth top surfaceedge for gate 25 and results in a compact arrangement of the structuralmembers for increased strength.

The arrangement of the hat-shaped channels to form box beams 31, 32, and33 as wel as the manner in which each box beam is attached withinU-shaped channels 2628 is illustrated particularly in FIGURES 4 and 11.It will be seen that by placing a pair of hat-shaped sections togetherto define a box beam, as illustrated, the thickness of such box beamnormal to the outwardly extending side flanges or brim thereof is suchthat it fits Within the parallel flanges of the U-shaped beams.

The attaching means provided for attaching box beams 31 and 33 atopposite ends of U-shaped rails 26 and 28 comprises a plurality of boltsand their associated nuts. Each beam 31 and 33 is attached in a fixedmanner at its opposite ends by using a plurality, four in this example,of bolts 54 and associated nuts 55 which are arranged in a spaced apartpattern for added stability. Each bolt extends through cooperatingoppositely arranged holes in the parallel flanges of U-shaped rail 26 or28 While extending through an associated hole in a side flange of boxbeam 31 or 33, as the case may be. A cooperating nut 55 is then threadedon the opposite end of bolt 54 to clamp the end of its associated boxbeam firmly in position. The arrangement of the U-shaped rails 26 and 28at the top and bottom, box beams 31 and 33 at opposite ends of the gate,and the firm attaching technique at the corners assures a rectangularconstruction having maximum rigidity and strength, even for gates orfence sections of extended length.

Each box beam 31 and 33 extends vertically below the horizontal flangeof U-shaped rail 26; however, because of the arrangement of U-shapedrails 27 and 28 a pair of rectangular cutouts are provided in theopposite terminal ends of their horizontal flanges to permit the boxbeams to extend through such U-shaped rails 27 and 28 in a perpendicularmanner. The pair of terminal cutouts in U-shaped rail 27 are eachdesignated by the numeral 58 and the end view of one of such cutouts isshown in FIG- URE 12. A pair of terminal rectangular cutouts in thehorizontal flange of rail 28 are each designated by the numeral 59. Oneof such cutouts, illustrated in plan view in FIGURE 11, shows the mannerbox beam 33 extends therethrough. It will be appreciated that the endand plan views of cutouts 58 and 59 respectively completely show thearrangement and relative size of pair of cutouts 58 at opposite ends ofrail 27 and pair of cutouts 59 at opposite ends of rail 28.

The attaching means for the box beam attached vertically at themid-portion of gate 25 comprises a plurality of single bolts 56 andassociated nuts 57, as shown particularly in FIGURE 6. Each bolt extendsthrough cooperating oppositely arranged holes in the parallel flanges ofU-shaped rails 26-28, with beam 32 held therebetween. In this instanceeach bolts preferably extends through the central box portion of beam 32(see FIGURES l, 6, and 9) to thereby provide a central vertical bracefor gate 25. While beam 32 extends from the inside surface of thehorizontal flange of U-shaped rail 26, it extends through cooperatinggenerally rectangular slots 60 and 61 in the horizontal flanges ofU-shaped rails 27 and 28, respectively.

The vertical hat-shaped rails 34-37 extend between U-shaped rails 26 and27 while being fastened within the parallel vertically positionedflanges thereof by first fastening means. The first fastening meanscomprises a pair of bolts 62 and associated nuts 63 for fastening theopposite ends of each rail 34-37 to U-shaped rails 26 and 27.

As shown in FIGURE 5, a pair of hollow cylindrical spacers 64 hold eachhat-shaped vertical rail against a corresponding vertical flange ofU-shaped rails 26 and 27. Each spacer 64 extends within the parallelvertical flanges of its associated U-shaped rail engaging the insidesurface of one of such vertical flanges at one end and the concavesurface of its associated hat-shaped rail at its opposite end. Thus suchhat-shaped rail is held in position upon inserting a cooperating bolt 62through suitably arranged holes in such U-shaped rail and hat-shapedrail and through such correctly positioned spacer and threading nut 63thereon to clamp the vertical hat-shaped rail in position.

The first fastening means further comprises a plurality of relativelylong bolts 65 and associated nuts 66 as well as a plurality of shortbolts 67 and associated nuts 68. Each bolt 65 and nut 66 is used tofasten the hat-shaped rails at each point where three of such memberscross including fastening horizontal rails 42 and 43 to center box beam32. A pair of typical points where three hatshaped rails cross aredesignated by the numeral 71 in FIGURE 1. Each bolt 65 extends throughcooperating holes in the crossing members and upon threading bolt 66thereon clamps such members rigidly together. As will be apparent fromFIGURES 5 and 7, the outer hat-shaped members are arranged with theirconcave sides facing each other to provide increased strength for gate25.

Each bolt 67 and associated nut 68 fastens the hatshaped rails togetherat the point of crossing of a vertical hat-shaped rail with a horizontalone. (See FIGURES 5 and 8.) In this example of the invention suchcrossing occurs at four points, each being designated by the numeral 72.Each bolt 67 extends through cooperating holes in the vertical andhorizontal members to fasten such members together.

Second fastening means is provided for fastening the remainder of thehat-shaped rails (40 and 41) which are arranged transverse U-shapedrails 26 and 27 and comprises a plurality of bolts, nuts, and associatedcylindrical spacers, each respectively designated by the numerals 73,74, and 75. As shown in FIGURES 1-3, each rail 40 and 41 is placed withits opposite ends within the vertical flanges of spaced apart U-shapedrails 26 and 27. Each spacer 75 holds its associated end of rail 40 and41 against one flange of a corresponding U-shaped rail generally aspreviously described in connection with spacer 64. Each bolt 73 extendsthrough an associated spacer 75 and through cooperating holes in theU-shaped rail and in the associated diagonal rail to fasten suchdiagonal rail in position upon threading its associated nut 74 thereon.Each rail 40 and 41 is also held in position intermediate its terminalends by a pair of bolts 65 and associated nuts 66 generally aspreviously described.

The horizontally extending hat-shaped rails 42 and 43 provide addedrigidity and stability to gate 25. Each of such rails is fastened to thegate structure by bolts 56, 65 and 67 and their associated nuts 57, 66and 68 along the middle portion thereof. In addition, a plurality ofbolts each designated by the numeral 77 and associated nuts, not shown,are provided one at each end of rails 42 and 43 to fasten thecorresponding end to an adjoining box beam.

The improved hinge means comprises a pair of hinges each designated bythe numeral 45 as previously mentioned and arranged at opposite ends ofbox beam 31. Each hinge 45 is formed from a single piece of structuralmaterial as by extrusion or casting. Each hinge 45 comprises a generallyY-shaped device in which the two legs of the bifurcate end, eachdesignated by the numeral 80 in FIGURE 4, are parallel to each other andthe extension of such parallel legs is generally approximately equal tothe vertical height or thickness of such hinge. This arrangementprovides a hinge having maximum structural integrity for a cantileverapplication of this type. Each hinge 45 also has a base leg shown at 81which is short in length as compared to parallel legs 80.

The parallel legs 80 and the single base leg 81 are formed so that theyblend smoothly together at their common base along gradual arcs. Suchgradual blending together produces a minimum of stress concentrationupon loading the.hinge device.

Each hinge 45 also has an elongated cylindrical hole 82 which isgenerally centrally located in base leg 81 and extends only a part ofthe way into base leg 81 and consequently is referred to as a blindhole. Blind hole 82 is arranged with its axis in a plane bisecting thebifurcate end of the hinge 45.

Each hinge 45 has oppositely arranged pairs of holes in its parallellegs 80 corresponding to the holes in the terminal ends of the U-shapedrails 26 and 28. Parallel legs 80 are arranged within the verticalflanges of an associated U-shaped rail and, as shown in FIGURE 4, arebolted in position by the same bolts and nuts which fasten the box beam31 in position, i.e., bolts 54 and associated nuts 55. Each hinge 45 isfastened to gate assembly 25 so that its blind hole 82 is orienteddownwardly and gate 25 is then vertically suspended for swingingmovement by placing the open end of each blind hole 82 over acooperating L-shaped hinge rod 46 associating with each hinge 45. Eachrod 46 has a load-carrying shoulder 83 carrying the lower end of itsassociated hinge 45. It will be obvious from the drawings that thesestruc tural features provide a simple high strength hinge which isfairly well protected against rain, snow, dirt and the like therebyproviding efiicient operation and with rod 46 extending a comparativelylarge distance into leg 81, added support is provided for cantileverloading.

Two exemplary embodiments of latching means are illustrated in thedrawings. One is illustrated in FIGURES 1, l2 and 13 and the other isillustrated in FIGURES 14, 15 and 16.

In the latching means illustrated in FIGURES 1, 12 and 13 elongated slotmeans 86 is provided in a parallel side flange of horizontally extendingU-shaped rail 27. In this illustration, elongated slot 86 extendshorizontally inwardly from the terminal latch end portion of one of theflanges shown at 87 of U-shaped rail 27. A generally L-shaped latchingmeans or pin having a long horizontally extending leg 51 is providedwith leg 51 carried within U-shaped rail 27. A short leg 88 is arrangedtransverse to the inner end of the L-shaped latching means and extendsthrough elongated slot 86. The L-shaped latching pin is guided forhorizontal movement by portions of vertical flange 87 adjoining slot 86as well as by a circular hole 89 in box beam 33 as illustratedparticularly in FIGURE 12. Thus it will be seen that upon swinging gate25 to its closed position the horizontally extending leg 51 is alignedwith associated pin receptacle 52 in a portion of fence construction 53cooperating with gate 25, whereupon leg 88 of the L-shaped latching pinis grasped and moved along slot 86 thereby horizontally extending leg 51outwardly beyond gate panel 25 and into receptacle 52 to latch such gateclosed.

The latching means illustrated in FIGURES l4l6 comprises a latchingmechanism arranged to operate within the box beam 33 at the swinging endof gate 25. Box beam 33 has a pair of elongated slots each designated bythe numeral 90 on opposite sides thereof and facing toward oppositesides of the gate panel 25. Each of said slots has an upper terminal endshown at 92 which hooks downwardly to hold a generally T-shaped latchingmember 93 in its raised position to enable gate 25 to be opened.

T-shaped latching member 93 is raised and lowered axially within boxbeam 33 in a telescoping manner. Member 93 has a horizontal upper bar 94and a downwardly extending pin 95. Guide means is provided within boxbeam 33 for pin 95. Such guide means includes a pair of generallyL-shaped flanges shown at 96 and 97 and suitably fastened within beam33. Each flange 96 and 97 has a hole therein cooperating with andreceiving the downwardly extending pin 95 for movement therethrough.

Thus it is seen that gate 25 is latched closed by aligning the verticalpin portion 95 thereof with an associated pin receptacle shown at 98 andsupported below gate 25 in its closed position. For easy unobstructedopening of gate 25, member 93 is raised upwardly and held in its raisedpostiion with pin 95 out of receptacle 98 by hooking bar 94 in thehooking ends 92 of elongated slots 90. As shown in FIGURES 14-16 it willbe apparent that the unique design and arrangement of latching member 93and its associated structural member enables gate 25 to be latched andunlatched from either side thereof simply by grasping a correspondingend of the horizontal bar 94 to thereby engage and disengage verticalpin 95.

The corrugated metal sheet 44, previously mentioned, is attached in arectangular outline to the lower end portion of gate 25 and may compriseone or more sheets. Sheet 44 is attached at its upper and lower end toprojecting flange means extending from U-shaped rails 27 and 28.

As will be apparent from FIGURES and 6 of the drawings the transverseflanges of rails 2628 are each arranged in a horizontal manner. Spacedapart rails 27 and 28 have their transverse flanges arranged adjacenteach other, i.e., with the open ends of their U-shaped channel facing indiametrically opposite directions. Each rail 27 and 28 has projectingflange means or a projecting flange 99 and 100 respectively extendingnormally from the center of its transverse flange. Projecting flanges 99and 100 extend toward each other and provide attaching flanges for sheet44.

Means fixing sheet 44 to projecting flanges 99 and 100 comprise aplurality of small bolts 101 and associated nuts 102. As will be seen inFIGURE 5, each bolt 101 extends through associated holes in sheet 44 anda projecting flange and upon threading bolt 102 at the opposite sidethereof firmly fixes such sheet in position. Sheet 44 provides acontinuous surface at the lower end portion of gate 25 for greaterstrength and rigidity as well as providing a construction which is saferfor farm animals when such gate is used as a farm gate.

As will be apparent from the preceding description, gate 25 is quicklyand simply assembled and disassembled. This made possible because thefastening means used to construct gate 25 comprise bolts and nuts. Theuse of bolts and cooperating nuts provides inexpensive fastening means;however, it will be appreciated that other fastening techniques could beemployed, for example, threading bolts into tapped holes in the variousmember of providing threaded studs on various members for associationwith cooperating nuts. Regardless of the method of fastening gate 25together the structural arrangement and relative positioning of thevarious structural members is such that a gate of maximum strength andrigidity is provided.

Horizontal rails 26, 27 and 28 provided in the exemplary gate 25 aredescribed as being U-shaped. It will be apparent from the drawings thateach parallel flange of such U-shaped rails has a distinct contourroughly in the shape of the letter M. Such contour is utilized tomaximum efficiency by the positioning of the various bolts andassociated nuts within the recessed portion of the M in certaininstances. In addition such M-shaped contour provides increased strengthfor rails 26-28.

Thus, it is seen that an improved fence construction has been providedhaving unique structural features providing maximum structural strengthparticularly when using such construction as a gate panel which is hungfrom one end in a cantilever manner. In addition, by using railsthroughout the gate construction which have only two basicconfigurations the overall cost of such gate construction is kept at aminimum and the further use of sheet panel means at the lower endportion of such gate assembly not only provides added strength andrigidity but also provides a construction which is safer.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by statute, other forms may be used, all coming within thescope of the claimed subect matter which follows.

What is claimed is:

1. A fence construction comprising, a plurality of generally U-shapedrail means arranged substantially horizontally in parallel spaced apartrelation, each of said U-shaped rail means having a pair ofsubstantially parallel flanges arranged vertically and a transverseflange defining the bight of said U-shaped rail means, one of saidU-shaped rail means defining a top rail means and top member for saidconstruction and being arranged with its parallel flanges extendingdownwardly, and a plurality of generally hat-shaped rail means fastenedgenerally transverse to said U-shaped rail means to form said fenceconstruction, each of said transverse hat-shaped rail means beingfastened between the parallel flanges of said top rail means andextending therebeneath.

2. A fence construction as set forth in claim 1 in which two of saidhat-shaped rail means are arranged together with their concave sidesfacing each other to define a box beam and said box beam is fastenedvertically within the parallel legs of said top rail means.

3. A fence construction comprising, a plurality of generally U-shapedrail means, a plurality of generally hatshaped rail means arrangedgenerally transverse to said U-shaped rail means, means fastening saidrail means together to define a gate panel, and single piece hinge meansfor said gate panel, said hinge means comprising, a generally Y-shapeddevice in which the two legs of the bifurcate end are parallel to eachother and the thickness of said device normal tothe plane of said Y isgenerally equal to the extension of said parallel legs, each of saidparallel legs and said single base leg being formed to blend smoothlytogether at their base along gradual arcs to produce minimum stressconcentration upon loading of said device, blind elongated hole meansextending partly into said base leg, said blind hole means beingarranged with its axis in a plane bisecting said bifurcate end, andmeans fixing said hinge means to said gate panel with the open end ofsaid blind hole means facing downwardly, whereby said hinge means issupported on cooperating L- shaped rod means having upwardly extendingleg means which is received within said blind hole means to thus providea simple high strength hinge having its moving parts protected againstaccumulation of foreign matter.

4. A fence construction comprising, a plurality of generally -U-shapedrail means, a plurality of generally hatshaped rail means arrangedgenerally transverse to said U-shaped rail means, said rail means beingfastened together to define a gate panel having one of said generallyU-shaped rail means extending horizontally along the middle portionthereof and with the parallel side flanges of said one U-shaped railmeans arranged vertically, and latching means for said gate panelcomprising, elongated slot means in a side flange of said one U-shapedrail means and extending horizontally inwardly in said side flange fromthe latch end of said one rail means, generally horizontally arrangedL-shaped latch pin means carried with the long leg thereof Within saidparallel side flanges of said one U-shaped rail means and the short legthereof extending through said elongated slot means, and guide meansguiding said latch pin for horizontal movement along and within said oneU-shaped rail means, whereby said gate panel is closed by swinging it sothat said horizontally extending leg is aligned with an associated pinreceptacle and said short leg of said pin is grasped and moved alongsaid slot means to telescope said horizontally extending leg beyond saidgate panel into said receptacle to latch said gate.

5. A fence construction as set forth in claim 1 in which, said U-shapedrail means are of equal length and another of said U-shaped rail meansdefines the bottom of said construction, said transverse hat-shaped railmeans being arranged to extend within the confines of said top andbottom U-shaped rail means, and wherein at least two pairs of saidhat-shaped rail means are of equal length and define a pair of box beamswith each box beam being comprised of a pair of hat-shaped rail meansarranged with their concave sides facing each other, said box beamsbeing fastened perpendicular to said top and bottom U-shaped rail meansand between said vertical flanges of said top and bottom rail means atopposite ends thereof to thereby define a rectangular constructionhaving high structural strength.

6. A fence construction comprising, a plurality of generally U-shapedrail means, a plurality of generally hatshaped rail means arrangedgenerally transverse to said U-shaped rail means, said rail means beingfastened together to define a gate panel having a pair of hat-shapedrail means fastened together generally vertically at the swingingterminal end of said gate panel and with their concave sides facing eachother to define a box beam, and latching means for said gate panelcomprising, vertically extending elongated slot means in opposite sidesof said box beam, said slot means extending along said box beam adistance corresponding to a desired latching movement and having ahooking terminal upper end, a generally T-shaped latching member havinga horizontal upper bar extending through said elongated slot means andbeyond said box beam to either side of said gate panel and a verticalpin extending downwardly within said box beam, and guide means withinsaid box beam for guiding the vertical movement of said T-shapedlatching member, whereby said gate panel is latched open by moving saidT-shaped member so that the horizontal bar thereof hooks into saidhooking upper end and is latched closed by aligning said vertical pinportion within an associated pin receptacle therebelow at the closedposition of the gate, said latching and unlatching being easilyaccomplished from either side of said gate panel by grasping acorresponding end of said horizontal bar to operate said latchingmember.

7. A fence construction as set forth in claim 5 in which said rail meansare fastened together to define a gate panel, and further comprisingsheet means fastened across one end portion of said rectangular outlinegate panel, hinge means fixed to said gate panel adjacent one of saidpair of box beams to support said gate panel in a cantilevered manner,and latching means for said gate panel supported adjacent the other ofsaid pair of box beams.

8. A gate panel as set forth in claim 7 in which said sheet meanscomprises corrugated metal sheet means having a rectangular outline andextending across the entire lower end portion of said gate panel toprovide increased strength for said gate panel.

9. A gate panel comprising a plurality of three elongated and generallyU-shaped rail means arranged substantially horizontally at the top,bottom, and middle portion of said gate panel and each having atransverse flange extending horizontally, said U-shaped rail meansacross said bottom and middle portion being arranged with theirtransverse flanges adjacent each other and each has a projecting flangemeans extending normally from its transverse flange, a plurality ofgenerally hat-shaped rail means fastened transverse to said U-shapedrail means to define said gate panel having a generally rectangularoutline, sheet means arranged between said projecting flange means ofsaid U-shaped rail means extending across said bottom and middle portionof said gate panel, and means fixing said sheet means to said projectingflange means to provide a continuous surface at the lower end portion ofsaid gate panel for increased strength and safety.

10. A gate panel comprising, a plurality of elongated U-shaped railmeans arranged generally horizontally in parallel spaced apart relation,a plurality of generally hat-shaped rail means fastened transverse tosaid U-shaped rail means to define a gate panel of generally rectangularoutline, sheet means fastened across one end portion of said rectangularoutline gate panel to provide maxi mum structural strength for said gatepanel, hinge means for suspending said gate panel in a cantileveredmanner to provide swinging movements, said hinge means compris ing, asingle piece generally Y-shaped device having two parallel legs definingits bifurcate end and a single base leg arranged centrally between saidparallel legs and extending in an opposite direction therefrom, with thethickness of said device normal to the plane of said Y being generallyequal to the extension of said parallel legs, each of said parallel legsand said single base leg being formed to blend smoothly together attheir base along gradual arcs to produce minimum stress concentrationupon loading of said device by supporting said gate thereon, blindelongated hole means extending partly into said base leg, said blindhole means being arranged with its axis in a plane bisecting saidbifurcate end, and means fixing said hinge means to said gate panel withthe open end of said blind hole means facing downwardly, whereby saidhinge means is supported on cooperating L-shaped rod means havingupwardly extending leg means which is received Within said blind holemeans to thus provide a simple high strength hinge having its movingparts protected against accumulation of foreign matter.

11. A gate panel comprising a plurality of three elongated generallyU-shaped rail means arranged substantially horizontally at the top,bottom, and middle portion of said gate panel, said U-shaped rail meanshaving their parallel flanges extending vertically and with saidU-shaped rail means arranged across said bottom and middle portion beingarranged with their generally concave sides facing in oppositedirections and each having a small projecting flange extending normallyfrom its transverse horizontal flange, a plurality of generallyhatshaped rail means cooperating with said U-shaped rail means to definesaid gate panel having a generally rectangular outline, sheet meansarranged between said projecting flanges of said U-shaped rail meansextending across said bottom and middle portion of said gate panel,means for fixing said sheet means to said projecting flanges, saidhat-shaped rail means comprising at least three pairs thereof of equallength and each hat-shaped rail means of each of said pairs beingfastened with an associated one with their concave sides facing eachother to define a box beam, attaching means for attaching each of saidbox beams within and perpendicular to said U-shaped rail means atopposite ends of said gate panel and along the middle portion thereof tothereby define said rectangular Outline gate panel having maximumstructural strength, first fastening means for fastening certain ones ofsaid plurality of hat-shaped rail means vertically within said parallelflanges and between and parallel to said box beams, second fasteningmeans for fastening others of said plurality of hat-shaped rail meanswithin said parallel flanges and extending transverse thereto With theirconcave sides facing the concave sides of said hat-shaped rail meanswhich are vertically arranged, horizontally extending hat-shaped railmeans arranged With their concave sides facing inwardly toward said gatepanel and arranged between said top and middle U-shaped rail means andfastened to said box beams While also being fastened to said gate panelat each point of crossing with a vertical hat-shaped rail means and atransverse hat-shaped rail means, hinge means fixed to one of said boxbeams supporting said gate panel for swinging movements, and latchingmeans for latching and unlatching said gate panel in a closed and openposition.

12. A gate panel as set forth in claim 11 in which said latching meansis carried by one of said box beams, said one box beam being located atthe end of said gate panel opposite said hinge means, said latchingmeans compris' ing, vertically extending elongated slot means inopposite sides of said one box beam, said slot means extending alongsaid one box beam a distance corresponding to a desired latchingmovement and having a hooking terminal upper end, a generally T-shapedlatching member having a horizontal upper bar extending through saidelongated slot means and beyond said one box beam to either side of saidgate panel and a vertical pin extending downwardly within said one boxbeam, and guide means Within said one box beam for guiding the verticalmovement of said T-shaped latching member, whereby said gate panel islatched open by moving said T-shaped member so that the horizontal barthereof hooks into said hooking end and is latched closed by aligningsaid vertical pin portion with an associated pin receptacle therebelowat the closed position of said gate panel, said latching and unlatchingbeing easily accomplished from either side of said gate panel bygrasping a corresponding end of said horizontal bar to operate saidlatching member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 910,459 1/1909 Craig 256-211,074,693 10/ 1913 Carter et a1. 256-73 1,307,996 6/1919 Beedle 49-3811,449,587 3/1923 Colvin 256-73 1,563,602 12/ 1925 Webster 256-731,635,878 7/1927 Anson 256-73 2,245,826 6/ 1941 Rowe 256-73 2,587,167 2/1952 Kelley 49-394 X 2,772,661 12/ 1956 Schilling et al. 9-394 X2,795,063 6/1957 Butler 256-24 X 3,022,045 2/ 1962 Silvers 256-73FOREIGN PATENTS 479,560 12/ 1951 Canada. 562,904 9/ 1958 Canada.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

D. L. TAYLOR, Examiner.

